********************************************************************************************IISEE Newsletter No.74

November 21, 2011********************************************************************************************+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Contents++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1. Study Trip Report of Niigata Prefecture and Tohoku region
2. News from ex-participant from El Salvador (Mr. Walter Salazar 1998-1999 E-Course)++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++============================================================================[1] Study Trip Report of Niigata Prefecture and Tohoku region
Participants of Tsunami Disaster Mitigation Course visited coastal areas in Tohoku region(November 14 to 18) and participants of Seismology course and Earthquake Engineering course
visited Nagaoka City (Niigata Prefecture) and Miyagi Prefecture including Tohoku University,
Onagawa town (November 14 to 17) which were affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
English reports of Study Trip by participants of T, S and E courses are as follows.
-----Tohoku----Ms. Siti Nurhaida Basri (Malaysia) T-Course
It was unimaginable and unbelievable to witness the causes of tsunami at the places that we havevisited. After listening to the experience from one of the tsunami survivor, I was deeply saddened as I
can only imagine, but it left a big scar to the tsunami survivors. The experience from this study field
will surely be one of most memorable experience I ever had.
Mr. MOQUETE EVERTH Fabricio (Dominican Republic) S-Course
Onagawa, located in the Miyagi prefecture at the Tohoku region in Japan. What seemed to be a
beautiful port town is now partially razed because of the tsunami that stricken it back in the March
11 earthquake. The coastal area now looks destroyed and a little bit flooded by parts, and still many
personal objects from people can be found within the mud and the rubbles that are still left. The
scenery makes one to imagine the terrible situation the people of that town had been gone throughand share the deepest sympathy with to all of them.
Mr. Goran Jekikj (Macedonia) E-Course
The damages on buildings caused by the Tohoku Earthquake are negligible, comparing to ones
caused by the tsunami wave. It is impressive that Japanese society successfully provides disasterprevention mechanisms to the limits that can be provided by a human factor.

Mr. Dwi Hartanto (Indonesia) T-Course
I am sorrow for tsunami hit around Japan, I hope Japan society is always in good health. Tsunami
early warning system has been running well, warning message, sirens, evacuation route, breakwater, sea wall etc. have worked well to reduce casualties. In the future we should be able to improve
the quality of tsunami early warning system, and do not forget to pray to god to avoid natural
disasters.
Mr. Tatok Yatimantoro (Indonesia) T-Course
This trip is very memorable and I got very valuable lessons, because the first time I saw a direct
effect of earthquake and tsunami. I also hear directly the sad stories from survivors. I'm so sad forearthquake 11 March 2011 that occurred in Japan, and I pray that the Japanese people be given thestrength and fortitude to rebuild the damaged facilities immediately.
Mr. Noor Azam Shaari (Malaysia) T-Course
It is an indescribable feelings to watch the greatest calamity that ever happened in humankind. We
offer our heartfelt prayer for the happiness and hoping that the pain will be gone very soon. All thepeople in this world are always be with you with such love and tenderly.
Ms. Nur Intan Irzwanee Nurashid (Malaysia) T-Course
When I first arrived in Sendai on Monday, I was speechless to see the damaged caused by thetsunami. The damaged was severe and I was touched seeing the people lost their properties andloved one. I admire the Japanese courage in facing their life after the disaster. The trip was avaluable experience for me.
-----Niigata----Mr. Rafig Safarov (Azerbaijan) S-Course
As it was planned from 14 up to 17 November, 2011 was conducted study trip of the Seismology andEarthquake Engineering Groups to Niigata and Miyagi prefectures. Here we visited the Nagaoka
City Hall, Nagaoka earthquake Disaster Archive Center and Yamakoshi District. After we wereinformed about historical earthquakes that occurred in Nagaoka, we visited Yamakoshi district,
where we observed reconstructed houses after the great 2004 earthquake. As a result of earthquakes
which occurred here 3 times in one day in 2004, landslides, ground subsidence were cause for thegreat scale of destruction and loss, and the population was forced to move to other areas. But, now 70
percent of the population returned to their native lands thanks to reconstruction and providing ofsafety and necessary means for residence. I would like to note that it is very important to getexperience on the prognosis of such disasters, and threats, preventive measures against them andabout of steps how to act after such kind of catastrophes. I want to express my gratitude to all oforganizers of this study trip and to Dr. Yokoi, Dr. Hara and Mr. Ajima which were with us all the timefor their kindness and care and for opportunity created to get experience. This study trip was very
interesting, enjoyable and an important for us at the same time.

Mr. Yefei REN (China) E-course
It is the most impressive that after the great Chuetsu Earthquake the Japanese government has
tried its best to make the relief and reconstruction of Yamakoshi district to attract the local people
coming back in order to protect and develop its traditional aquaculture of Nishikigoi carp. In
addition, the successful case of using base-isolation technology to the structures for resisting theearthquake in Ojiya general hospital is deeply impressive as well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[2] News from ex-participant from El Salvador (Mr. Walter Salazar 1998-1999 E-Course)
Dear Friends,
I would like to share with you with great pleasure that I received an Award from the Government of
my country the last Nov. 17 at the Association of the Caribbean States in commemoration of the 200
years of the independence of the Americas, due to my contributions in my field and they say
according to their review due to my distinguished career. I am sending you some photos and a link
for some news.
http://www.uwiseismic.com/NewsDetails.aspx?id=220
Just to thanks again to you to give me the opportunity to study with you.
Walter Salazar===========================================================================********************************************************************************************We send this IISEE Newsletter to ex-participants whose e-mail addresses are known, lecturers andother stakeholders. The IISEE send new data and information actively and accept your contribution
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